MAKING SENSE OF THE SUAREZ AFFAIR

Unless one has gone to visit Mars, everyone on this planet would have known that the biggest news this past week was not Iraq, Syria, the South China Sea, Ukraine, the Indonesian presidential election or even the World Cup itself! All attention was focused on one man and one incident which is, of course, the alleged small punctures inflicted by Suarez's front teeth on Chiellini's shoulder during a soccer match; and the resultant lengthy 9-match, 4-month ban and a hefty fine.

There are at least three big unanswered questions that remained which still puzzle many people. I shall try to answer them so that we all can be at peace and the world can go back to normalcy.

Question 1: Why did Suarez bite a third time in an important World Cup match knowing full well that cameras were everywhere and watching his every move, especially having already served lengthy bans for two previous similar offences?

Is Suarez mad, sick or idiotic? No. He is perfectly sane and well, except that his response to fear, anger and frustration is a little different from us. When we are unable to control ourselves when provoked on the field, we may either kick at our opponent's shin, head-butt his nose or swing out an elbow. Suarez is different - he may bite. It's like a kind of reflex reaction, not a premeditated one. It may be noted that under similar situations, it is natural for animals, children and even women to bite. Suarez is not an animal and certainly not a woman, so his tendency to bite must be an inappropriate child-like response to provocation. I will leave to his psychologist the task of rectifying that.

Question 2: Why did FIFA hand out such heavy penalties, much more than for far more violent conduct on the field?

Biting is not normal behavior in an adult male and therefore not acceptable. It's not the degree of violence or intentionality that matters. The penalties meted out reflect the extent of shock, distaste and objection to such an act which is considered uncivilized.

Question 3: Why is there so much animosity by the media and other parties towards Suarez over the years, such that he appeared to be singled out for condemnation every time?

This is because there had been some jealousy about this man who grew up in a poor South American neighborhood and dared to become successful. There is some suspicion of cultural indignation by the Europeans when they are less successful despite having more privileged backgrounds. In short, he showed them up.

So, there you have it. Now, we can sleep tight tonight. But not for poor Suarez. I really feel for him!